Bird problems frustrate La. rice farmers

Daily News Staff Report

Rural residents who have been awakened by loud booms at night are not nearly as frustrated as Southwest Louisiana rice farmers, who are dealing with a larger-than-usual number of birds eating rice seed. The problem is causing many farmers to replant.

In addition to the expense of replanting, farmers are also spending money on shotgun shells and propane scare devices residents are hearing at night in an effort to keep the blackbirds and waterfowl away from their newly planted fields, according to the LSU AgCenter.